We can win without Alonso, says Renault boss
Flavio Briatore claims Fernando Alonso’s defection to McLaren next season will give Renault the spur they need to continue their Formula One domination.
The Spaniard will leave Renault at the end of this season and his legacy is likely to be back-to-back world championship wins for him and his team.
Both Alonso and Renault hold commanding leads in their respective championships but despite the upheaval of losing their star driver, Briatore believes change could do his team good.
The Renault team principal said: “People talk about cycles of success and we will finish a phase when Fernando leaves Renault this year.
“But no team revolves around one person and I think that without change, you can get trapped. We want to carry on winning next year, to show we can beat McLaren and Fernando.”
Briatore is convinced Renault’s recent success is not all down to Alonso, who he has nurtured as manager since spotting the youngster in Formula 3000.
Despite being taken by surprise at his protégé’s move, Briatore has come to terms with Alonso’s departure and has no worries about its impact on Renault.
“I think it is normal that he wanted to leave at some point, he needs a new challenge on a sporting level, to win with somebody else,” he added.
“He is a young guy, he has grown up with us, it is time for him to leave home.
“But at Renault, we have built a team with Fernando, not for him or around him. That team will continue, and we will try 100% to win with him until the final race – and then 100% to beat him after that.”
